A mysterious underwater structure near Taiwan, known as the Yonaguni Monument, has raised profound questions for archaeologists and historians alike. Located about 82 feet beneath the surface near the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, this giant stone formation has puzzled researchers since its discovery in 1986. Its sharp-angled steps and pyramid-like shape have led some to believe that it may be a man-made structure, while others argue that it is a natural rock formation. However, recent studies have deepened the mystery, suggesting that the monument may be far older than previously thought, potentially rewriting everything we know about ancient history.
The Yonaguni Monument stands approximately 90 feet tall and appears to be composed entirely of stone. Researchers have noted its surprising resemblance to a pyramid, with perfectly straight steps that seem to have been carved by human hands. According to tests conducted on the stones, they date back over 10,000 years, a timeline that places the structure’s construction well before the region would have been submerged underwater, which occurred more than 12,000 years ago.
“If an advanced society was already building giant step pyramids long before this time,” said one researcher, “it could change the history books forever and reveal another lost tribe of humans—just like the myths of Atlantis.”
The idea that such a monumental structure could have been built before the end of the last Ice Age challenges the traditional understanding of early human civilization. Scientists typically believe that large-scale construction, such as temples and pyramids, became possible only after the advent of agriculture around 12,000 years ago. However, if the Yonaguni Monument was indeed built by an advanced civilization more than 10,000 years ago, it would place it far earlier than iconic structures like the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge, which were constructed thousands of years later.
The structure’s discovery has sparked debates, particularly between proponents of the idea that it is a man-made monument and skeptics who believe it is a natural formation. Some, like Dr. Robert Schoch of Boston University, argue that the features of the monument are typical of natural rock formations in an earthquake-prone region. In his report, Dr. Schoch explained, “The fractures and flat faces making up the ‘steps’ are just normal features of sandstone rocks breaking and splitting.”
On the other hand, figures like Graham Hancock, a researcher and author focused on lost civilizations, have presented photographs from underwater dives that they believe show evidence of human craftsmanship. According to Hancock, “Photographs from dives at the site clearly show human-made arches, megaliths, steps, terraces, and what seem to be a carved rock ‘face.'”
Yonaguni has often been called “Japan’s Atlantis” due to its mysterious origins, drawing comparisons to other ancient structures like Göbekli Tepe in Turkey, which was constructed around 9,500 BC. Göbekli Tepe, along with the Yonaguni Monument, challenges the traditional narrative of early human history, which generally suggests that advanced civilizations only emerged after the rise of agriculture. “The sandstone slabs of Yonaguni monument have convinced many researchers into ancient civilizations that an advanced society built a pyramid before the end of the last Ice Age,” one researcher said.
Further complicating the issue is the discovery of another ancient site in Indonesia, Gunung Padang, which has been dubbed the world’s oldest pyramid. Studies of Gunung Padang suggest that it dates back more than 16,000 years, potentially making it the oldest known pyramid in the world, even older than Göbekli Tepe.
Dr. Masaaki Kimura, a scientist who has studied the Yonaguni Monument, believes that the structure was likely on dry land at the time it was built, before global sea levels rose following the end of the last Ice Age. “At this point in history, the structure would have still been on dry land, before the melting of massive ice sheets caused global sea levels to rise,” Kimura stated.
Despite the conflicting opinions surrounding the Yonaguni Monument, the discovery has ignited significant debate within the archaeological community, and its true origins remain uncertain. While some remain skeptical about the human-made origins of the site, others argue that further investigation could reveal more about the forgotten civilizations of ancient times. As scientists continue to study the monument, the mystery of the Yonaguni Monument serves as a reminder of how much more there is to discover about the ancient world and the lost civilizations that may have preceded us.
In conclusion, the Yonaguni Monument’s age and origin are still open for debate, but its potential to change our understanding of human history is undeniable. Whether the structure is man-made or natural, it adds to the growing list of ancient sites that challenge traditional views on the capabilities of early human societies, much like the stories of Atlantis.
